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Incumbent Councillor Sandra Bussin wasn't able to Tuggs at any heartstrings at a candidates debate in the Beach Thursday night and she immediately found herself on the hot seat over the city's controversial Boardwalk Cafe deal.

The sparks were flying inside St. John's Norway Church - 470 Woodbine Ave., just north of Kingston Rd. - moments after the debate began when the first question put to the seven candidates on hand focused on the beach-front restaurant.

"The way (the city) did it was not right," said Keith Begley, the first candidate to throw a match under the hot seat Bussin found herself perched on.

He alleged the city has lost money by signing the 20-year lease to Tuggs Inc, - which gives owner George Foulidis the exclusive rights he's had since 1986 to sell food and beverages at the Boardwalk Cafe, Kew Beach, neighbouring Balmy Beach and D.D Summerville pool - without putting it out for tender.

Concillor Rob Ford, who appears poised to become the city's next mayor, added fuel to the fire recently when he slammed the deal.

Bussin was quick to defend herself at the debate by pointing out Ford had no problems voting in favour of a similar 15-year sole-source lease in the western beaches.

Bruce Baker, who is also Vying for Bussin's job, said it was the process that was "flawed."

And he defended Foulidis saying the business owner wasn't part of that process and all he did was secure the best deal he could for a family-run company.

A thundering applause filled the church each time a candidate slammed the deal and Bussin, who originally proposed entering into sole source negotiations with Tuggs.

The cheers were especially loud for Mary-Margaret McMahon, an obvious crowd favourite to win Beaches-East York when Torontonians go to the polls Oct. 25.

"The bottom Line, it should have gone out to tender," McMahon said of the deal.